Category: Port Richmond

All I’m doing these days is watching snow come down. Keeping lots of food outside for the homeless cats and birds. Knitting while watching TV or Inspector Morris videos on YouTube. I’m trying to read (“Crime & Punishment”), but reading makes me sleepy so then I go on Twitter to wake me up and end up being there for an hour or two. And making op art/zentangle pictures: below are some examples:

The first thing that came to my mind with the word “Letters” was graffiti, which only shows the environmental influence on my mind. Below is a photo of a building next to where I live. The PFFletters are the insignia of a local gang, which I only know because some kid told me that was what he thought it was. Gangs put their insignia on buildings as territorial markers. It appears on other buildings around my neighborhood. I like the juxtaposition of nature and the urban world.

The present community where I live is called Port Richmond,
Staten Island. Port Richmond is just one of the multitudes of communities that make up Staten Island. It’s one of Staten Island’s oldest and poorest communities and it is largely Latino (predominantly Mexican, but also Puerto Ricans and South Americans from every country). Port Richmond was first settled by the Dutch in the 1600’s. Staten Island was originally named Richmond (still a common name here in Staten Island, i.e. we are in Richmond country) after Richmond, the illegitimate son of George III. A major battle of the Revolutionary War was fought here in what is Veteran’s Park.

Because of the large Latino population, there are many Mexican restaurants and grocery stores and a couple of Peruvian ones. Since I love Mexican food, this suits me fine. I grew up in West Los Angeles in an area that was also largely Latino, so this is nothing new for me. It also gives me a chance to practice my Spanish, like every time I leave my apartment.

Despite having a multitude of poor families living above stores and in rooms, it also has some beautiful, historic homes from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

People in Port Richmond like to display the American flag. House on the corner of Bennett Ave. and Heberton Ave.Historic house on corner of Anderson Avenue and Heberton in Port Richmond.A home on Richmond Terrace that faces the Kill Van Kull near the Bayonne Bridge. I love the 19th century architectural convention of the wrap-a-round porch.Latino musicians entertain on the street.

This is a photo that I took on Anderson Avenue where it runs into Port Richmond Avenue. It was the prototype for my painting (below) that I named “Anderson Avenue.”

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CategoriesJohn Muir---"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn." John Muir--Click on photo to join the Yosemite Conservancy